Audio-equipped transaction card systems and approaches

ABSTRACT

Approaches for using and implementing transactions involving audio-equipped transaction cards reduce both data-management efforts and costs. In addition, certain applications further facilitate loyalty to the business entity that issues the audio-equipped transaction cards by, e.g., facilitating transactions with the card-issuing entity and/or selected business partners. One example embodiment is directed to audio-equipped personal cards and an approach to purchase agreement that involve activating an audio transmission from a transaction card to establish a point-of-sale purchase agreement. Data relating to the purchase agreement is communicated to an account/payment institution to confirm the purchase agreement, optionally in response to the customer&#39;s PIN being received. In another embodiment, a two apparatus (or “card”) approach involves retailers entering data via a retailer card that is useable by selected users (e.g., the retailer&#39;s representatives or employees). For such retailer and/or customer cards, various implementations are directed to different approaches for entering user information and/or security information such as customer PIN, a retailer-employee ID or PIN number.

RELATED PATENT DOCUMENTS

This is a conversion of the following U.S. Provisional PatentApplications: Ser. No. 60/537,165 (JENT.002P1) filed on Jan. 16, 2004and entitled “AUDIO-EQUIPPED PERSONAL CARD SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF THEIRUSE;” and Ser. No. 60/537,163 (JENT.003P1) filed on Jan. 16, 2004 andentitled “RETAILER-LOYALTY AUDIO-EQUIPPED PERSONAL CARD SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS OF THEIR USE.” Priority to each of these provisionalapplications is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119 for common subject matter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to electronic commerce and,more particularly, to secure personal transactions using audio-equippedpersonal cards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Identity theft and the fraudulent use of banking information have becomerampant among various facets of the world's economy. Retailers andcustomers have increasing needs for simple, easy, and trustworthypoint-of-sale transactions. Various efforts, e.g., as described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,963,643 to Goreta et al. (hereby incorporated herein byreference), have been directed to approaches for transferringinformation. Other previous efforts for point-of-sale telephony-basedtransactions have used an ID associated with a telephone (such as anassociated cell phone number or a bar label on a mobile telephone ID) asa tool for identifying the customer using the telephone.

Such previous efforts are useful to fulfill the desire of retailers andcustomers for easy and trustworthy point-of-sale transactions. However,the costs of implementing such point-of-sale transactions and others caninhibit their implementation and widespread use. In this regard,point-of-sale transactions continue to suffer from undesirablecharacteristics including those discussed above.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to overcoming the above-mentionedchallenges and others related to the types of devices and applicationsdiscussed above and in other applications. The present invention isexemplified in a number of implementations and applications, some ofwhich are summarized below.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention atransaction card is configured for audio communication.Transaction-related information, such as account information, useridentification, authentication and/or security information is stored atthe transaction card. This audio information is implemented forprocessing transactions for the user to which the card is assigned, suchas typically implemented for conventional credit cards, debit cards andother purchase cards.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, a businesstransaction involving personal transaction cards is carried out using anapproach involving the communication of audio information. Audioinformation is stored with a transaction card. When the transaction cardis used for a transaction, the audio information is communicated fromthe transaction card. The communicated audio information is used inauthorizing the transaction.

According to another example embodiment of the present invention, atransaction processing system is programmed and configured forprocessing transactions using audio information stored on a transactioncard. The system implements one or more transaction cards having storedaudio information and used, e.g., at point-of-sale transactions. Acommunications arrangement (e.g., a transaction card reader implementedwith an audio receiver and transmitter) communicates audio from thetransaction card in connection with a particular transaction. The systemauthorizes the transaction as a function of the communicated audioinformation.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, a transactioncard device is configured for processing transaction information withaudio-equipped transaction cards. The transaction card reader is adaptedto read audio information from a buyer's transaction card, and an audiocommunications device is adapted to audibly communicate the read audioinformation to a retailer. The communicated audio information includesinformation for authorizing the transaction, with the audio informationused by the retailer (or an associated entity) in processing thetransaction.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describeeach illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the presentinvention. The figures and detailed description that follow moreparticularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thedetailed description of various embodiments of the invention inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example system and examplemethodology involving use of audio-equipped personal cards, according tothe present invention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates another example approach for transacting apoint-of-sale agreement between a customer and a retailer using twoaudio-equipped personal cards, also in accordance with the presentinvention.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describeeach illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the presentinvention. The figures and detailed description that follow moreparticularly exemplify these embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is believed to be applicable to a variety ofdifferent types of communications and financial process managementapproaches, and has been found to be particularly useful forapplications involving the implementation and application ofpayment-related transaction processes and related aspects thereof. Whilethe present invention is not necessarily limited to such approaches,various aspects of the invention may be appreciated through a discussionof various examples using these and other contexts.

Approaches involving audio-equipped personal cards in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention may incorporate one or more ofthe features, structures, methods or combinations thereof describedherein. For example, a point-of-purchase agreement and verificationsystem may be implemented to include one or more of the features and/orprocesses described below. It is intended that such approaches need notnecessarily include all of the features and functions described herein,but may be implemented to include one or more features and functionsthat, alone or in combination, provide for structure and/orfunctionality.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, anaudio-equipped personal card system includes one or more self-containedaudio-equipped personal devices capable of audio transmission ofcommerce information over available communications infrastructure. Incertain specific example embodiments, each audio-equipped personal cardincludes at least partially encrypted customer-account information(e.g., at least a customer account and/or a key for accessing thedatabase) and, optionally, a customer-verification encoding port isimplemented for entering the customer's Personal Identification Number(“PIN”).

In other example embodiments, each audio-equipped personal card includesinformation with encryption. Once the link to a back-end institution isestablished (e.g., using the above-discussed key for access), as withconventional credit/debit and other billing card transactions, theback-end institution uses the customer account number to access itsdatabase and thereby retrieve other customer particulars such as name,communication addresses (email or otherwise) for receipting purposes,monetary and card-user authorization limits.

An audio-equipped personal card system is implemented with phone paymentapproaches (systems and/or methods) in connection with other exampleembodiments of the present invention. A purchasing retailer-customer ata front-end of the system uses an audio-delivering encrypted “paymentcard,” such as a credit or debit card, to request authorization andverification that the issuing-card (payment) institution at a back-endof the system will pay a retailer for the purchasing retailer-customer'spurchase.

In another example embodiment, each audio-equipped personal cardincludes customer-account information and, optionally, acustomer-verification encoding port for entering the customer's PersonalIdentification Number (“PIN”); the cards may be generated with customernumbers randomly programmed into the cards wherein the cards are issuedand registered to a customer with the customer information subsequentlybeing associated with this random number data. In this embodiment, theaudio information on the card may be generally limited to specific cardinformation with the customer information being stored on a secureserver that is associated with the card-programmed information.

Accordingly, certain embodiments of the present invention are directedto phone payment approaches (systems and/or methods) in which thepurchasing retailer-customer front-end uses an audio-delivering(optionally, encrypted “payment card”) such as a credit or debit card,to request authorization and verification that the issuing-card(payment) institution back-end will pay retailer for the customer'spurchase.

Another example embodiment of the present invention is directed to anaudio commerce information transmission approach involving a purchaseagreement using at least one audio-equipped personal card. A first audiotransmission is activated from a first card to establish a point-of-salepurchase agreement, and the agreement is transmitted to anaccount/payment institution to confirm the purchase agreement. Thetransmission occurs over an available communications infrastructure,such as the Internet or a telephone channel, using an innocuous (orgeneric) communications terminal; in this context, the transaction isimplemented without necessarily processing terminal-identification dataand therefore without necessary dependence upon the communicationsterminal identification (ID) or the communications network provider.

In connection with another embodiment of the present invention, a twoapparatus (or “card”) approach allows the retailer to enter its data viaa common retailer card that is useable by each of various employees ofthe retailer or via one of a plurality of respectivelyretailer-allocated employee cards. For such retailer cards, an employeeID or PIN number and a retailer ID or PIN number may be manually keyedor otherwise entered.

In another example embodiment, the two apparatus approach involves theuse of the customer card and, instead of a retailer “card,” a retailerterminal that can link to the account/payment institution and providethe necessary retailer data. In a more specific implementation, theretailer terminal includes an input port (such as a microphone or cardreader) for receiving the customer card data (and optionally thecustomer's PIN) before transmitting the entire set of retailer-customertransaction data over the communications network for the purchase. Theretailer terminal can include data-entering tools (e.g.,numerically-designated and/or preprogrammed keys) for permitting theemployee and/or customer to enter transaction pricing information aswell as optional PIN number(s) for the customer and/or retailer.

The retailer (or other business entity) permits such customer-cardbusiness transactions to be conducted over multiple business channels inconnection with other embodiments of the present invention. Suchbusiness channels include, for example, in store purchases, catalogmail-in or call-in purchases, and store web-site purchases.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, customer cardsfacilitate a loyalty-inducing approach for business with a businessentity issuing the customer cards. The business entity can be, forexample, a mall, retailer, chain store or other association ofretailers, issues special cards to customers that permit purchases totake place over one or more business channels (in store, catalog mail-inor call-in, store web-site), but with only that particular card-issuingbusiness entity. The customer card transmits a customer ID that isunique and useful only for purchases with the business entity and/orwith its designated business partners.

In another embodiment involving a loyalty approach as discussed above,the customer card is programmed with data for granting permission tomake purchases over multiple channels, with a business entity and/orwith its designated business partners in connection with the card. Anon-limiting non-exhaustive list of channels includes on-line webpurchases; printed catalog purchases; non-catalog telephone call-inpurchases; and in person purchases.

In another embodiment, the customer card includes data that facilitates(e.g., authorizes or otherwise permits) purchases over one or more ofspecific telephony-connected channels and only with the business entityand/or with its designated business partners. The customer card isissued with a toll-free telephone number for which DTMF audio tones aregenerated for reception into the microphone of the telephone handsetand, in response, the specific telephony connection is made and thecustomer then enters the customer PIN for verification. A non-limitingnon-exhaustive list of channels includes dial-up on-line web purchases;printed catalog purchases; non-catalog telephone call-in purchases; andin person purchases.

In another related embodiment, the customer card includes data thatpermits purchases over one or more of specific non-telephony-connectedchannels with the business entity and/or with its designated businesspartners. The customer card is issued with link-connecting audio (DTMF,MF or otherwise) tones that are generated for reception into amicrophone of an audio-data compatible terminal (such as a digitalmobile telephone or other data terminal) and, in response to recognizingthe specific tones, the audio-data compatible terminal establishes aconnection to a communications network. This connection is followed bythe customer entering the customer PIN for verification. A non-limitingnon-exhaustive list of channels includes on-line web purchases; printedcatalog purchases; non-catalog telephone call-in purchases; and inperson purchases.

For some or all of these embodiments, pricing data and any neededretailer information for the business entity can be entered via thecustomer card (if so equipped or via the audio-data compatibleterminal). For example, the customer audio cards can be equipped withvarious user-interface ports for entering important information. In onesuch more specific embodiment, customer-verification is provided using abiometric sensor (such as a fingerprint detector). In another suchspecific embodiment, customer-verification as well as pricing data isprovided using a micro-keypad.

In yet another embodiment, the customer audio card is equipped with sucha small data-entering tool to permit entering the customer PIN and, inresponse to recognizing/verifying the customer PIN, the card electronicsactivate the card-equipped data to be audibly transmitted from the card.

In connection with each of the above embodiments, the customer audiocards can be equipped with various user-interface ports for enteringimportant information. In one such more specific embodiment,customer-verification is provided using a biometric sensor (such as afingerprint detector). In another such specific embodiment,customer-verification as well as pricing data is provided using amicro-keypad.

In yet another specific embodiment, the customer audio card is equippedwith such a small data-entering tool to permit entering the customer PINand, in response to recognizing/verifying the customer PIN, the cardelectronics activate the card-equipped data to be audible transmittedfrom the card.

In another specific example embodiment, the customer card (and, whereapplicable, the retailer card) includes a built-in keypad on which theuser enters the PIN and the tone (carrying the card information) isemitted only after the user enters the correct PIN number. In thisembodiment, the card electronics are preprogrammed with the PIN number(e.g., via firmware programming, fully- or semi-programmable nonvolatilememory).

In yet another embodiment, the customer audio card is equipped with sucha small data-entering tool to permit entering the customer PIN, theretailer store number (and retailer PIN as well), and transactionpricing information, as well as optional PIN number(s) for the customerand/or retailer. In response to recognizing/verifying the customer PIN,the card electronics enable a protocol for receiving additionaltransaction-related data into a memory section of card electronics. Withthe communications link established, at a certain time upon completionof this additional transaction-related data (e.g., immediately, afteranother key prompt, or after a set delay), the card electronics activatethe card-equipped data to be audible transmitted from the card fortransmission over the communications link.

With regard to the above-characterized two apparatus (or “card”)example, the present invention is directed to allowing the retailer toenter its data via a retailer card that is useable by each of employeesor via one of respective retailer-employee cards. For such retailercards, typically, an employee ID or PIN number and a retailer ID or PINnumber are manually keyed or otherwise entered by, for example, usingone of the above card-coded techniques or via a phone keypad.

In another embodiment involving a two apparatus approach, a transactioninvolves the use of the customer card and a terminal that can link tothe account/payment institution and provide retailer data. For instance,a retailer can make available an audio-type data terminal adapted toreceive audio from a customer card. The terminal and/or the card caninclude the data-entry tools (e.g., keys) that permittransaction-specific data to be sent to the account/payment institutionand provide the transaction-receipt data.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a transaction approach involvingaudio-equipped personal cards and their use, in accordance with anotherexample embodiment of the present invention. An audio-equipped personalcard system 100 is shown, including a customer's ID unit 110 and aretailer's system 120. The customer's ID unit 110 is shown having aspeaker 130 and an activation element 140. The speaker 130 is configuredto produce audio tones such as Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tonesuseful for telephonic communication. The activation element 140 may be,for example, a single button, a multiple button keypad, a fingerprintidentification system, a voice recognition actuation system, an RFID tagreader, or other system capable of activating and/or authenticating atransaction from the customer's ID unit 110.

In response to actuation of the activation element 140, the customer'sID unit 110 transmits an audio signal 150 containing at least acustomer's account information 155 to the retailer's system 120. Theaccount information 155 may, for example, be read from an audio equippedpersonal card read by the customer's ID unit 110 using one or more ofthe approaches described herein. The retailer's system 120 isillustrated having a retailer's ID unit 160 and a retailer'scommunications system 170.

The components shown in FIG. 1 are implemented using a variety ofapproaches and arrangements. For example, the retailer's system 120 mayinclude a unit terminal having all the features of the retailer's system120, or an assembly of components making up the retailer's system 120.The retailer's ID unit 160 may include, for example, an audio-equippedpersonal card similar to that implemented with the customer's ID unit110, but providing retailer (and retailer-linking) information insteadof customer information. The retailer's communications system 170 mayinclude, for example, a cell-phone, a local-area network, a POTS, orother communication system.

The retailer's ID unit 160 may include an input device 180, such as akeypad, activation button, a handwriting recognition pad, touchpad,mouse button, or other user input system. The customer may use one orboth of the activation element 140 and the input device 180 to provide acustomer's PIN 190. The retailer's system 120 then assembles a data set195 for transmission to an account/payment institution 185 to conduct atransaction. The data set 195 may include, for example, the customer'saccount information 155, customers PIN 190, retailer's ID number,purchase amount, and a retailer's PIN (if used).

Typically, the account/payment institution 185 responds to theretailer's system 120 with a confirmation 186. The confirmation 186 mayinclude a confirmation number and/or a verification of sufficient funds.Upon receipt of the confirmation 186, the retailer's system 120 mayissue a receipt to the customer. Optionally, a transaction receipt 175may be sent from the account/payment institution 185 directly to thecustomer using, for example, a cell-phone 161, a personal digitalassistant 162, a web-site 163, a pager 164, or other communicationsdevice associated with the customer's account at the account/paymentinstitution 185.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system and approach for transacting a point-of-saleagreement between a customer and a retailer using two audio-equippedpersonal cards in accordance with one ore more example embodiments ofthe present invention. An audio-equipped personal card system 200includes a customer's ID unit 210 and a retailer's ID unit 220. Thecustomer's ID unit 210 is shown having a speaker 230 and an activationelement 240. The retailer's ID unit 220 is shown having a speaker 250and an activation element 260.

The speakers 230, 250 are configured to produce audio tones such as DTMFtones. The activation elements 240, 260 may be, for example, a singlebutton, a multiple button keypad, a fingerprint identification system, avoice recognition actuation system, an RFID tag reader (for reading,e.g., an RFID tag on a transaction card) or other system capable ofactivating and/or authenticating a transaction from the ID units 210,220.

In response to actuation of one or more of the respective activationelements 240 and 260, the ID units 210 and 220 respectively transmitaudio signals 260 and 270. The audio signal 260 contains at least acustomer's account information (e.g., as read from an audio-equippedtransaction card) and the audio signal 270 contains at least aretailer's ID, such as an account number for the retailer, to receive afund transfer from the customer's account. One or both of the customer'sID unit 210 and the retailer's ID unit 220 may also contain a microphone(not shown) used to record or coordinate the transaction between thecustomer's ID unit 210, the retailer's ID unit 220, and anaccount/payment institution 280.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the audio signals 260, 270 arereceived by a cell-phone 290 for transmission to the account/paymentinstitution 280. The audio-equipped personal card system 200 may beparticularly useful for point-of-sale retailers such as mall kiosks,street vendors, and professional service providers, as well astransactions between private individuals. For example, the retailer's IDunit 220 may be adapted for use by an individual selling a personal itemto another individual having the customer's ID unit 210.

Referring to both FIGS. 1 and 2, audio signals 150, 260, and 270 areencrypted or otherwise protected from eavesdropping in accordance withother example embodiments. Any frequencies, encoding, packetizing, orother data compression and/or optimization techniques can be used inaccordance with the present invention.

In other example embodiments, one or more of the customer's ID unit 110,the retailer's system 120, the customer's ID unit 210, and theretailer's ID unit 220 may have memory and recording capabilities. Usinga restaurant food purchase to provide an example, the retailer's system120 and/or the retailer's ID unit 220 may be used to record the foodconsumed and pricing information for transmission to the account/paymentinstitutions 185, 280. Similarly, the customer's ID units 110, 210 maybe used to record the payment amount authorized, including any tip, fortransfer to the restaurant's account.

In connection with one or more of the above embodiments of the presentinvention, the encrypted data to be exchanged between the purchasingretailer-customer front-end and the institution back-end occurs via ashort-term communication link network such as a cellular network, analways-connected network, a conventional POTS (plain old telephoneservice) network, and various (wireless and wired) communicationnetworks.

In some implementations, the type of encrypted data to be sent from thepurchasing retailer-customer front-end to the institution back-endtypically includes: customer account and/or other identification (ID)information, a customer Personal Identification Number (PIN), andretailer ID number. The PIN may be provided via biometric sensors and/orkeyed in by depressing one or more keys in different coded manners suchas one key via Morse code, two or more keys for a multiple digit PINcode, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), or other verificationmethod.

In other implementations, the type of (not necessarily encrypted) datato be returned from the institution back-end to the purchasingretailer-customer front-end typically includes: verification thatpurchase is authorized (i.e., sufficient funds and/or customer creditstatus to cover purchase) and transaction data is completed. In certainembodiments, such verification includes implementing a digital image ofthe customer (“should-be card holder”) or other personal data to permitthe retailer to prevent identify theft. Such a digital image can bereturned by facsimile, embedded in an email, attached to an email,and/or for other electronic display on one or more designated terminals(e.g., the sending computer terminal or mobile phone). There may also bethe return and display and/or creation of a receipt for the customer(and, optionally, such receipt can be sent before, after or concurrentwith the verification data/image). In various example embodiments, thedisplayed receipt is “displayed” via a printed hard copy, an email tothe customer, a hand written receipt and/or confirmation number, anentry on the institution's web site, a message sent to the customer'spager, a phone call and/or text message to the customer's cell-phone, orother record.

Retailer transaction-verification terminal approaches discussed hereincan be implemented using conventionally-available electronics equipmentwith the appropriate programming to process transaction aspects thatfacilitate the above-described embodiments and approaches.Audio-transmitting customer and/or retailer cards can also be builtusing such conventionally available technology. For general informationregarding such tools, as well as specific information regardingadditional features that may be implemented in connection with one ormore of the above-described embodiments and approaches, reference can bemade to the following (U.S.-corresponding) patent documents (each ofwhich is incorporated by reference for its above-noted teaching as wellas its more specific below-characterized aspects):

-   European Pat. No. EP 0 787 398B1 (or related U.S. Applications),    entitled “Automatic Telephone Dialing Device” directed to a device    having a thin cross-section for automatically dialing stored    telephone numbers for use in connection with a telephone handset;-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,859,913, entitled “Method and System for the    High-Speed Generation and Transmission of a Sequence of Characters    by Means of Voice Frequencies” directed to the generation, by means    of voice frequencies, of a sequence of several characters and the    high speed transmission of those characters including the    elimination, during transmission, of the blanks between two    successive characters when the characters are distinct or encoded    distinctly;-   European Pat. No. 1 008 256B1 (or its equivalent U.S. Application),    entitled “Method and System for Ensuring the Security of Service    Supplies Broadcast on a Computer Network of Internet Type” directed    to enabling users of an Internet type computer network provided with    multimedia terminals, remotely located from a service supplier, to    accede rapidly and safely to services offered by this service    supplier;-   U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,780, entitled “Method and System for Ensuring    the Security of Telephone Call Management Centers” directed to    enabling a center managing telephone calls to different suppliers of    services to identify safely and rapidly the customers of the service    suppliers calling the center by means of telephone equipment    connected to a communication network; and-   U.S. Pat. No. 6,377,670, entitled “Method and System for Ensuring    the Security of the Supply of Services of Telecommunication    Operators” directed to enabling a telecommunication operator to    identify rapidly and to debit in complete security the accounts of    subscribers of a telephone network.

For some implementations, each feature disclosed in this specification(including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), may bereplaced by and/or implemented with alternative features having thesame, equivalent or similar application, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

While certain aspects of the present invention have been described withreference to several particular example embodiments, those skilled inthe art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention, aspects ofwhich are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for conducting a business transactioninvolving personal transaction cards and a financial transaction betweena seller and a buyer, the method comprising: programming, on a firsttransaction card, authentication data and account information for thebuyer; programming, on a second transaction card, authentication dataand account information for the seller; in connection with the businesstransaction, communicating the authentication data and accountinformation from both the first transaction card and the secondtransaction card using sound waves in the form of encoded tones;converting the sound waves from both the first and second transactioncards to an electronic form of the audio information representing theauthentication data; authorizing the business transaction as a functionof the authentication data in the electronic form and the financialtransaction; and sending a receipt for the authorized businesstransaction to a mobile device associated with the account information.2. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating the audio informationwith the transaction cards further includes communicating, as encodedDTMF tones, at least one of: encoded authorization information; encodedsecurity information; and encoded encrypted information.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the communication of the audio information isimplemented for providing transaction card information, in an encryptedform, from which to facilitate the business transaction; and wherein thesending of receipt includes sending the receipt as a text message and toa mobile telephone associated with the account information.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein communicating the information on the cardsincludes communicating the audio information as inaudible sound wavesand to a hand-held audio device configured and arranged forcommunicating the audio information to a banking institution.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the audio information includes anauthorization code and wherein authorizing the business transaction as afunction of the communicated audio information includes authorizing thebusiness transaction as a function of the authorization code.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein authorizing the business transaction as afunction of the communicated audio information includes authorizing thebusiness transaction when the communicated seller information matchesmerchant information for a merchant involved in the transaction.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein programming information with the firsttransaction card includes programming unique identification information,and wherein the method further includes: at a remote server, associatingcustomer information with the unique identification information; andwherein authorizing the business transaction as a function of thecommunicated audio information includes using the unique identificationinformation for retrieving the associated customer information andauthorizing the business transaction as a function of the associatedcustomer information.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:entering transaction pricing information into the second card; and inconnection with the business transaction, communicating transactionpricing information from the second transaction card using sound wavesin the form of encoded tones; and converting the sound waves from boththe first and the second transaction cards to an electronic form of theaudio information representing the transaction pricing information. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein authorizing the business transaction as afunction of the communicated information includes: communicating atleast a portion of the information to a financial institution; and inresponse to the financial institution providing authorizationinformation, authorizing the business transaction.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: entering customer identificationinformation into the first transaction card; comparing the customeridentification information with stored identification information on thefirst transaction card; providing, to the seller, a digital image of acustomer associated with the customer identification; and whereinauthorizing the business transaction as a function of the communicatedaudio information includes authorizing the business transaction as afunction of the communicated information and the entered customeridentification information.
 11. A system for processing businesstransactions and financial transactions between sellers and buyers, thesystem comprising: a seller transaction card programmed with informationrepresenting digital data, the digital data including accountinformation for a seller associated with the seller transaction card; aretailer transaction card programmed with information representingdigital data, the digital data including account information for aretailer associated with the retailer transaction card; means forcommunicating, in connection with a particular business transaction anda particular financial transaction, the information from the seller andretailer transaction cards using sound waves having tones encoded toconvey the digital data; and means for authorizing the businesstransaction as a function of the communicated audio information, thedigital data and the financial transaction.
 12. A system for processingbusiness transactions and financial transactions between two parties,the system comprising: a first transaction card programmed with audioinformation that is frequency encoded and that represents accountinformation for an account held by one of the two parties; a secondtransaction card programmed with audio information that is frequencyencoded and that represents account information for another account heldby the other of the two parties; a transaction card reader forcommunicating, in connection with a particular business transaction anda particular financial transaction using the accounts held by the twoparties, the audio information from the transaction cards; and atransaction processing arrangement for authorizing the businesstransaction as a function of the communicated audio information and thefinancial transaction and for providing a transaction receipt to amobile device associated with the account of at least one of the twoparties.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first transaction cardis configured and arranged for storing audio information in response toan access code.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the firsttransaction card is configured and arranged for facilitating thecommunication of the audio information in response to an access code.15. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a user terminalincluding the transaction card reader and adapted to audibly communicatethe audio information; and a retailer terminal including the transactionprocessing arrangement and configured and arranged for receiving theaudibly communicated audio information and for displaying anauthorization of the business transaction in response to authorizationinformation received from the transaction processing arrangement. 16.The system of claim 15, wherein the retailer terminal is adapted tocommunicate the audio information to a financial institution and, inresponse to the financial institution providing an authorization for thecommunicated audio information, authorizing the business transaction.17. The method of claim 1, wherein programming audio informationincludes storing audio information in a wireless telephony deviceconfigured and arranged for communicating the audio information for usein the business transaction.
 18. The system of claim 12, wherein thetransaction card reader includes a wireless telephony device.